Melissa Dvorak

Managed day to day operations of Winnipeg Labour Council, including building a strong executive team, chairing all meetings, reestablishing committees, budgeting, executive goal setting, development and planning.

Established strong and on-going working relationships with Labour and Political Leaders including Winnipeg school trustees.

Increased affiliation of Labour Council through promotion of central labour bodies

Built coalitions of unions to work together to achieve common goals

Worked with central labour bodies and individual unions to promote campaigns, plan and participate in conventions and conferences

Built coalitions with community groups.

Participated at board and board level committees of community agencies including United Way Winnipeg.

Labour activist for 14 years

Former 4th provincial Vice President and member of MGEU Board of Directors

Former president of local 369 - involved in initial organizing of the local, bargaining 3 contracts, and representing workers in the local.

Facilitated a variety of MGEU educational programs to union members as well as researched, developed and facilitated new courses as required.

Advocated and lobbied for common issues and concerns through board/union involvement, pre-budget consultations and community networking

Actively involved in National, Provincial and Local campaigns

Seconded to lead community outreach campaigns

Participated in committees and labour councils, both elected and appointed including MGEU and MFL Safety and Health, Equity and Human Rights, Constitution and Bylaw, Risk and Strategy, Board Governance and Area Council

Demonstrated a commitment to mentoring by getting new members involved in union activities as well as coaching and encouraging others to prepare and run for leadership roles.

Recruited high level foster parents for treatment foster care program

Received all referrals of children/teens to program and "matched" children/teens with those parents.

Demonstrated extensive interview skills with the ability to make people feel comfortable, asking difficult questions, ability to listen, understand and clarify issues

Ability to address difficult situations "head on"; managing complex and often difficult situations with our local and child welfare, family and community systems

• Managed interdisciplinary team including the development of treatment planning for children and youth experiencing complex needs and on-going case management plans to address client's individual needs and goals.
• Provided crisis intervention and risk assessments.
• Provided support to clients, their biological family and foster parents to ensure needs child/youth's needs were being met and everyone was working together in best interest of child/youth.
• Effectively worked with and learned from families with a variety of cultural backgrounds, languages, values and norms.